“Cities as Innovation Centers: Investing in Resilient Infrastructure,” a presentation and panel discussion, will be held at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS).

Global infrastructure assets are increasingly at risk to the impacts of climate change. Losses due to weather-related events have increased to more than $110 billion today—of which only half was insured. Along with aging infrastructure in advanced economies, high growth rates in developing economies, and rapid urbanization, failure to invest in resilience now will result in the need for more costly interventions in the future.

Students in the Energy, Resources and Environment (ERE) Program — who collaborated with global infrastructure firm AECOM — will present their preliminary research findings on the traditional barriers to investing in resilience, best practices for implementing resilience, and general recommendations with case studies from four coastal cities: Washington, D.C., Singapore, Honolulu, and Rotterdam. The 2017-2018 ERE-AECOM Practicum Team focused on coastal cities that are exploring innovative solutions in response to rapid urbanization and increasing exposure to direct climate-related risks.

The presentation will be followed by a panel discussion featuring experts from the sectors of insurance and risk management, government, and project development who are taking steps to promote investment in resilient infrastructure.

RegisterThe event is open to the public and media, with registration. Members of the working press can request to cover the event by selecting “Media” on the online registration form. Final media access will be confirmed at least one day prior to the event. Pre-authorized camera setup will only be permitted from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.

About Johns Hopkins SAISA division of Johns Hopkins University, the School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) is a global institution that offers students an international perspective on today’s critical issues. For nearly 75 years, Johns Hopkins SAIS has produced great leaders, thinkers, and practitioners of international relations. Public leaders and private sector executives alike seek the counsel of the faculty, whose ideas and research inform and shape policy. Johns Hopkins SAIS offers a global perspective across three campus locations: Bologna, Italy; Nanjing, China; and Washington, D.C. The school’s interdisciplinary curriculum is strongly rooted in the study of international economics, international relations, and regional studies, preparing students to address multifaceted challenges in the world today.